Dartmouth to pull out all the stops for 350th birthday

Six village celebrations, a gala, a parade and a beard contest are all on tap as Dartmouth turns 350 this year and marks the occasion with a wide range of festivities.

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By AUDITI GUHA

southcoasttoday.com

By AUDITI GUHA

Posted Jan. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 9, 2014 at 12:17 PM

By AUDITI GUHA

Posted Jan. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 9, 2014 at 12:17 PM

» Social News

DARTMOUTH — Six village celebrations, a gala, a parade and a beard contest are all on tap as Dartmouth turns 350 this year and marks the occasion with a wide range of festivities.

The anniversary will be very much a community event, with 17 committees and more than 100 volunteers working to make sure 2014 is a year like no other, said Cynthia Marland at DCTV.

Marland unveiled a 10-minute video at the Select Board meeting Monday night to give a taste of what's coming. Plans include the Dartmouth Historical Preservation Trust's commemorative calendar; videotaped historical vignettes of town spots created by UMass Dartmouth students; the Historic Commission's installation of signs in the villages to mark areas of historical signficance; a parade with bands and floats; and, of course, fireworks.

The town has already provided $78,000 for the effort, Marland said, and she noted that the 350th Committee is busy fundraising and has received $10,000 from BayCoast Bank.

"I'm really proud to see a lot of people come on board," she said. "It's very exciting."

Resident Tom Brooks said he revived the Brothers of the Brush committee which organized a beard contest at the town's 300th celebration. Brooks handed out forms to the Select Board at the meeting Monday night and urged them all to participate. He charged member Lara Stone with making sure they comply and that their beards are "well-trimmed and distinguished."

"Trophies will be awarded in various categories and we will have real judges," he said. "My hope is that the Board of Selectmen would lead by joining."

Brooks was clearly delighted when Bill Trimble handed his form in at the meeting and handed him a Brothers of the Brush pin.

Selectmen said they are eagerly awaiting the events which are expected to begin with a gala at the Hawthorne Country Club on March 22. Tickets will be about $40, Marland said.

"It will be a great celebration of the town's history," said Select Board member Michael Watson. "I like how they are doing the village celebrations and the incorporation ceremony on June 8."

"I hope that people who live here get to know the town and how it came to be, know about our history, know about our diversity," said board member Shawn McDonald.

"There are a lot of interesting things in Dartmouth. We were a very early part of the history of this country that a lot of people don't know about," said Trimble.

"I am looking forward to a series of memorable events where the community can come together and celebrate its history," said Town Administrator David Cressman.

For details, check Dartmouth350.com. If you want to volunteer or sponsor events, contact the 350th Committee at 350@town.dartmouth.ma.us or call 508-984-1359.